When Rafael Nadal counted 106 and passed Roger Federer

Since the start of the Open era in 1968, 29 players have achieved at least 106 Major victories. Rafael Nadal is among the leaders with 313 triumphs on the most significant scene, trailing only Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. One hundred twelve of those have come in 18 editions of Roland Garros, with the Spaniard writing the record books as the most dominant figure at a single Major. Nadal made a debut in Paris at 18 in 2005 and lifted the trophy. Nadal has won 14 of the previous 18 editions of Roland Garros, suffering only three losses and claiming 112 wins from 115 encounters! Rafa’s 106th Parisian victory came in the opening round against Jordan Thompson this spring, leading him toward a massive record. The Spaniard became the first player with 106 triumphs at a single Major, leaving Roger Federer’s 105 Wimbledon wins behind him. Struggling with a foot injury before the tournament, Rafa looked good on Court Philippe-Chatrier, playing well on serve and return in a 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 victory in two hours and two minutes.

Rafael Nadal became the first player with 106 victories at a single Major.

Nadal dropped 16 points behind the initial shot and got broken once. Thompson failed to follow that pace in his games, losing over half of the points and suffering seven breaks from 11 chances offered to Nadal. The Spaniard lost five points behind the initial shot in the opener, defending a lone break point and stealing the rival’s serve twice for 6-2. Rafa grabbed a break in the third game with a backhand drive-volley winner for an early advantage. He hammered a forehand down the line winner in game four to bring it home at love and open a 3-1 gap. Rafa forced Jordan’s error in the fifth game to deliver his second break and extend the gap.

Nadal fended off a break chance with a drop shot winner and forced Thompson’s mistake to move 5-1 ahead. Rafa held at love with an ace in game eight for 6-2 in 37 minutes. The Aussie netted a backhand at the beginning of the second set to experience a break, and the Spaniard extended the lead with a forehand down the line winner in game five. Thompson pulled one break in game six to reduce the deficit. However, he lost four straight points in game seven to hand a break to Nadal and find himself 5-2 down. The Spaniard held at love with a service winner for a 6-2, 6-2 advantage in under 80 minutes. From 2-1 down in the third set, Rafa rattled off five straight games and raced over the top following an extended rally at 5-2 to seal the deal and secure a record.